Abstract: A lighter-than-air (LTA) wind energy conversion system (WECS) wherein a gas-filled LTA envelope carries a main rotor and electrical generator to take advantage of high wind speeds available at high altitudes. The LTA envelope is tethered to a ground based mooring system designed to provide self-orientation for the LTA envelope. In a preferred embodiment, heavy mechanical transmissions are eliminated by providing a radial disk diffuser within the rear portion of the frustrum-shaped LTA envelope. The diffuser is rotated through the drive shaft of a wind-driven external rotor. A linear duct is positioned within the envelope and has its rear outlet in fluid communiation with the gas inlet to the diffuser. Rotation of the rotor-diffuser drives an induction turbine positioned within the gas inlet of the duct at the fore portion of the envelope. The lifting gas for the envelope also serves as the working fluid for the turbine and is circulated by the diffuser-turbine action.

Abstract: A cold field emitter is placed in special relationship to an anode device ving a hole in it close to the emitter. A second electrode can be located above the hole in the anode and be a circular shape of lesser diameter than the first anode so as to shape the hollow beam being emitted by the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capacitive voltage divider drive circuit for electroluminent matrix displays comprised of, for example, thin film electroluminescent capacitance type elements. The drive circuit for each display element, which exhibits a relatively low capacitance, includes a relatively large series connected capacitor which couples a drive voltage thereacross upon the closure of a first switching element. Due to voltage divider action, a relatively greater portion of the drive voltage appears across and energizes the display element by exceeding its threshold voltage. Additionally, another relatively large capacitor is coupled in parallel with the display element upon the closure of a second switching element which, again due to voltage divider action, reduces the drive voltage thereacross below its energizing threshold level to deenergize it.

Abstract: A system for providing a simulated target and scene on a projector screen, wherein a first infrared (IR) detector senses reflected IR light from the screen to indicate an associated simulated weapon has hit the target and a second IR detector mounted in proximity to said first detector enables automatic sensitivity adjustment to different brightness backgrounds.

Abstract: A device for altering the after body shape of a missile configuration so as o reduce the ballistic flight drag coefficient after booster burnout and including linear shaped charge cutting device for severing a portion of a nozzle exit cone just aft of a fixed boattail configuration on the outer surface of the missile to allow boundary layer air flow to flow smoothly over the boattail and thereby reduce the base drag on the missile during the coast phase thereof.

Abstract: An artillery shell is provided comprising two sections having complementary oupling members for connecting the sections together. The complementary coupling members include at least two locking assemblies which can be engaged to prevent relative axial movement of the coupled sections or disengaged to permit the disconnection of the sections. As a result, the sections can be connected and disconnected for different mission requirements and for inspection purposes.

Abstract: Each incoming pulse has its width determined and is stored in a designated torage counter in accordance with its pulse width. The contents of the storage counters are serially addressed and the value of each counter is obtained. The value of each counter is used as a Y input to a readout and the serially addressing of the counter is used as the X input of the readout device. The count on counters are maintained within their capacity by sensing when a counter reaches its maximum value and causing all counters to down count in accordance with the input rate to this particular storage counter.

Abstract: A self-pulsing microwave generator with a quarter-wave resonator separated y an electron transit space from a field emission cathode is provided. The quarter-wave resonator acts as an anode and a DC voltage is supplied by a discharge capacitor and a DC current source. The application of DC voltage to the resonator causes the resonator to resonate at a selected frequency dependent upon the size and characteristic of the resonator. The discharge capacitor is discharged by the resonator-cathode combination until the voltage drops below the field emission threshold voltage of the cathode at which time the pulse terminates. The resonator is in the shape of a cone to decrease the interelectrode capacitance.

Abstract: Manufactures, apparatus and processes for shielding the hazards of exploss, pyrotechnics and propellants during manufacture, demolition, demilitarization storage, transportation and use.

Abstract: A heading reference system mounted in a vehicle, e.g. an aircraft or a ta includes a magnetic compass and a gyroscope. The magnetic compass is subject to deviation in the magnetic field, hence the system must be calibrated. If the vehicle is oriented in a starting direction, and the output of the magnetic compass compared to the output of the gyroscope, an error signal is developed. This error signal is filtered to reduce noise, then stored. The vehicle is then re-oriented and the procedure repeated until sufficient information is available to calibrate the system. A microprocessor may be used for the computations and filtering of noise.

Abstract: A detector and/or mixer of electromagnetic energy in the microwave-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum comprised of a body of semiconductor material having a superlattice region consisting of, for example, InAs - GaSb wherein the thickness of alternating epitaxial planar layers is in the range of 30A to 80A. Incident radiation perpendicular to the planar regions results in an electric field being provided in the plane of the layers which causes a reduction in the superlattice bandwidth and accordingly an increase in the transverse effective mass of the carriers. This results in a decrease in the perpendicular conductivity through the superlattice region.

Abstract: A traveling-wave-tube has a vacuum housing that includes the helix rf circuitry. The helix conductor is intertwined with and hermetically sealed to the insulating material comprising the vacuum housing. Thus, portions of the helix serve for interaction with the electron beam in the center of the vacuum housing while other portions are in contact with the atmosphere, thus cooling the helix and permitting the tube to operate at higher average powers.

Abstract: A dual point suspension implement or apparatus adapted to be secured to a licopter or the like having a single point external loads attachment hook so as to support an external load by means of two suspension lines spaced longitudinally from one another. The dual point suspension implement comprises a carriage support secured to the aircraft forward of the aircraft hook, the carriage support extending laterally and comprising a curved track member having its radius of curvature substantially coincident with the pivot axis of the aircraft hook. The implement further comprises a carriage having a plurality of rollers which are engageable with the curved track whereby the carriage is free to move or swing along the curved track in arcuate fashion so that the implement together with the load is free to swing relative to the aircraft about the pivot axis of the aircraft hook. The implement further includes a main body extending longitudinally of the aircraft below the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for soft recovery of a projectile is disclosed. A formable element is placed in the path of the projectile, whereby the projectile becomes embedded in the element upon impact therewith. Gravitational or mechanical forces are applied to the combined projectile and deformable element to decelerate the same thereby making recovery possible.

Abstract: An aiming post light for artillery and mortar operations at night wherein an ordinary GI flashlight may be used, without modification, as a post light when mounted on a support and wherein its original ordinary lightbulb is replaced with a novel bulb of same base outer configuration in which the bulb has encapsulated solid state circuitry to provide a blinking and/or steady light emitting diode (LED) as the light source. Depending upon the particular LED and circuitry selected, the light may be continuous or intermittent and may be a selected color. In one embodiment several options are available when using a single bulb.

Abstract: The delay line has a number of sections in tandem. Each section comprises o line segments in parallel, one of which is relatively short and the other of a length to provide a given differential delay for the section. Each segment has a PIN diode at each end, poled in one direction for the short segment and in the other direction for the other. The bias arrangement for the PIN diodes includes four transistor switches in a bridge, with a selected pair in opposite legs turned on to cause a polarity which permits it to flow through only that segment in which the PIN diodes are forward biased. The given differential delay for the several sections has a binary relation.

Abstract: A rigid, lightweight, base for a portable laser system, the base including a heat exchanger for dissipating heat conducted thereto from the laser system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fiber disseminator conduit comprised of a vertical cmn having two sources of a gas (normally air) wherein one source provides a continuous stream of a suspension gas (such as air) to effect dispersion and separation of the particles or fibers and cause the particles and fibers to rise to a test portion thereof and a second source of intermittent gas stream below the first source to raise clumps of the particles and fibers to the first source of suspension gas.

Abstract: A mass degaussing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a movable dolly capable of holding a plurality of magnetic tapes. Automatic means are provided for moving the dolly into and out of a degaussing chamber wherein means are provided to generate an electromagnetic field. The apparatus is capable of degaussing a large plurality of magnetic tapes in a single operation.

Abstract: A tool for extending the barrel of a revolver crane and for checking the alignment of the crane barrel and cylinder locking aperture in a revolver frame. The crane barrel is inserted over an alignment stud and an adjustable stylus is threaded into contact with the crane barrel near its end. Rotation of the crane barrel causes a groove to be worn on the outer surface of the crane barrel and thus cause the barrel to elongate to its desired length. Additionally, the alignment stud may be used to align the crane barrel to the revolver cylinder locking aperture.